Piano-player



A. R. GILLHAM.

PIANO PLAYER. APPLICATION FILED DEC.28, 1916.

Pand'sept. 13,1921.v

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

OOO

I A. R. GILLHAM.

PIANO PLAYER.

APPLICATION FILED DEC-28, 1916.

1,390,697. Pawndsept. .13, 1921.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFHCE,

ALFRED E. GILLHAM, Yor CINCINNATI, oHro.

PIANO-PLAYER.

Application ined December 2s, 1916. seria1N..1a9,344.

To all whomct may concern.'

Beit known that I, ALFRED R. GILLHAM, a citizen of the United States, residing at Cincinnati in the county of Hamilton and State of hio, have` invented certain new and useful Improvements inliano-Players, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to piano-players, and has for its object the provision of novel means for accentuatingthe melody of the selection played, by automatically causing the piano-action units through which the melody is produced, to have a greater range of movement when actuated, than the range of movement of the remaining units.

Further, it is the object of my invention to provide individual emphasizing means for the various piano-action units, so arranged that the emphasizing means coact ing with the piano-actionrunits adapted toA produce the same note in the diiferent octave-s may be collectively controlled, and also to provide means for selectively neutralizing the action of the emphasizingA means in certain octaves. By neutralizing I mean wholly or partially neutralizing, counteracting or negativing the action or effectof the emphasizing means, and the term neutralize wherever employed in the descrip-y tion and claims is to be understood and interpreted with such meaning. y Y

My invention alsoV contemplates the provision of means whereby ,the intensity of the tone of all the notes may be modified while still maintaining the relative prominence of the melody producing notes.

Other objects of my invention will appear from the following description and claims, and Jfrom the drawings, in which latter:

Figure 1 is a vertical section through a piano constructed in accordance with my invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of a piano with the top of the casing removed, and certain of the parts omitted or broken away for the sake of clearness,

Fig; 3 is a vertical section on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1,with certain of the parts omitted or broken away.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section through the emphasizing pneumatic supporting frame.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged vertical section on the line 5 5 of Fig. 3, with certain of the parts omitted.

Specification ouf` Letters llatent. Patented Sept. 13, 19214'. l

Fig. 6 is a transverse section on the line 6 6 of Fig. 5. l Fig. 7 is an enlarged front elevation of a notesheet and tracker. f

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary vertical section similar to Fig. 1, showing a modified form of my invention. t

Fig. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary section through thekey-board ofV a piano, showing a detail thereof.

My invention is exemplified as applied to a pneumatic piano-player, andV may be applied to piano-,players of well-known orv standard constructions, andfor the purpose of illustration, thev present embodiment of in y invention is shown in connection lwith a piano-player comprisinga piano-casing 11, having the usual sounding-board 12, carried by beams 13 at the rear of the casing. `A string-frame 14 for the usualset of strings 15 is also arranged on beams 13, the strings coperating with the sounding-board in a well-known manner bybridges 16.

A set of piano-action units 20 is arranged transversely of the casing 11, preferably in the upper portion thereof in front of .the string-frame, each unit having a hammer 21` spo f adapted to strike a string of the string-set:

in the usual manner. A set'of usual operating pneumatics for the piano-action units, is shown at 26 arranged transverselyv ofthe piano-casing beneath the piano-action units, each operating pneumatic having an arm 27 arranged to engage a rod 28 havinga positioning link 30 pivoted vthereto and connected with the wippen 29 of the corre` spending piano-action unit 20, to actuate the unit in a well-known manner. n

The operating pneumatics are shown-as upon supports 31 extending outwardly from a usual secondary valve-box 32, connected with a primaryvalve-box 33. The primary valve-box is connected b tubes 34'with the usual setlof apertures 5 in atracker 36, mounted within the usual casing 37 in the front of the piano-casing. A take-up spooll 38, and bearings 39 fora music-roll. are arranged within the casing 37 so that a perorated note-sheet 40 may be drawn over the tracker in the well-known manner. The take-up spool is adapted to be actuated in I the usual manner through a suitable gearin preferably pivoted to a frame 52 adapted to swing out in front of the piano-casing, to bring the treadles into operative position in a well-known manner. The usual ledge 53 is preferably arranged at the front of the instrument to carry the operating keys and levers.

The parts as thus far described are of well-known construction and are illustrated and described in order that the relation of my improved device thereto may be readily understood, and it is therefore obvious that any preferred construction of pneumatic actuating mechanism for piano-players may be substituted for the construction as thus far described.

Individual emphasizing pneumatics are adapted `to coact with the various pianoaction units, to accentuate the melody of the selection to be played. emplification of my invention, the emphasizing pneumatics for the various piano-action units are shown supported within a frame 55 arranged to be moved relative to the set of piano-action units as desired, by mechanism to be hereinafter described. (See Figs. l, 2, 3, 4 and 5.) The frame 55 is exemplified as comprising strips 56 extending transversely of the piano-casing in front of the piano-action units, and connected by end-r pieces 57, the frame being slidably mounted upon the walls of the piano-casing, preferably by vforming lugs 58 upon the end-pieces. adapted to be received in guideways 59 upon the iano-casing.

T e pneumatics supported by frame 55 are preferably arranged between series of ducts formed at each side of the frame parallel to strips 56. This construction is exemplified as vcomprising a wall 68 spaced f from each of the walls 56, the walls 68 extending the length of the frame 55, and supporting the pneumatics within a space 65 between the same. The series of ducts at each side of the frame are formed between the spaced walls 56'and 68, preferably by arranging partitioning-walls 63 'in superposed spaced relation between the walls 56 and 68, side fianges 64 vbeing formed upon the walls 56 and 68, and upon the partitioning-walls,

so that the fianges form the sides of the ducts and the end-pieces 57 form the end walls thereof. (See Figs. 3, 5 and 10.)

The duct proximate to each of the walls 68 is preferably of substantially greater cross-sectional area than the remaining ducts 62, and is divided into a series of passage ways 66, by transverse partitions 67, for a purpose to be hereinafter described.

' The set of emphasizing pneumatics co- In the present ex@ operating with the various piano-action units, is preferably arranged within the space 65 with the individual pneumatics 72 disposed in opposed series extending the length of space 65, and supported upon the opposite walls 68. The individual pneumatics adapted to coperate with the pianoaction units for each octive, are preferably equally divided between the opposed series, with the pneumatics for an octave which are in one series, opposite the pneumatics for the same octave which are in the opposed series. The passage-ways 66 are preferably so arranged relative to the pneumatics supported upon the wall 68 proximate thereto, that a passage-way will be formed for each of the groups of pneumatics coperating with piano-action units for the same octave.

The individual emphasizing pneumatics may be of any well-known type, and for the purpose of illustration are exemplified as comprising a stationary member 74, and a movable member 75 connected therewith in the usual manner by a flexible connection, so as to form a bellows 76. (See Figs. 4 and 5.) Means are preferably provided for normally holding the bellows in extended position, shown as comprising a spring 7l positioned between the stationary and movable members 74, 75, of the pneumatic.

Chambers 77, 78, between which are mounted a usual diaphragm 80, are formed in the stationary member, the chamber 77 being adapted to communicate through a port 79 with a connection leading to the tracker 36, and chamber 78 at the other side of the diaphragm communicating through port 81 with a connection leading to the wind-trunk 47. A valve-chamber 82 adaptedrto communicate with the chamber 78 is provided with a usual double-faced valve 83 to control an opening 85 to the atmosphere, and a duct 86 leading to a port 87, through which communication is had with the interior of the bellows.

lVhen the connection between the tracker and port 79 is closed to the atmosphere by a note-sheet passing across the tracker, suction is created through port 81 by the vacuum in the wind-trunk, which seats the valve 83 so as to cut off communication between duct 86 and chamber 78, and open duct 86 to the opening 85, admitting air at atmospheric pressure to the bellows, to extend the same as will be readily understood.

As soon as an opening in the note-sheet registers with the tracker opening for the connection leading from port 79 to the tracker, diaphragm 8O will be extended in a well-known manner, Yto actuate valve 83 so as to close the opening 85, and open duct 86 to chamber 7 8, the suction through charnber 78 and port 8l thus exhausting the air from the bellows and collapsing the same, in the usual manner.

member which abuts against wall 68, and.k

vforming a port 92 in the wall 68, in alinement with each ofthe ports 81 of the pneumatics supported upon the wall, sothat di? rect communication is provided between the ports 81 and' their respective passageways 66. v v

vThe passage-ways 66 at opposite sidesof the set'of emphasizing pneumatics, which respectively communicate with the opposed groups of pneumatics cooperating with piano-action units for one octave, are adapted to be connected with each other and with the wind-trunk by a conduit, "instanced as a flexible tubing 95. passage-ways 66 to be connected, are provided with ports 94 respectively, and the flexible tubing is adapted to be connected to the wind-trunk 47 and to nipples `96 extending outwardly from said ports. The tubes 95 leading to the wind-trunk are preferably arranged in substantially parallel relation proximate to eachother in vfront of the frame 55, as shown at 100. v

In order to provide a compact arrange ment of the pneumatics 72 supported in opposedseries within thespace 65, the swinging-end of the movable member of each pneumatic, is preferably of reduced width as shown at 73v (see Fig. 8), so that theop-` posed pneumatics may have theirends disposed in staggered relation, thereby permitting the swinging ends of the movable-members of the respectivey pneumatics,` to extend to the desired position in front of the respective piano-action units with which they cooperate. p y

he range of movement of hammer 21 of each of the piano-action units is adapted to be normally limited by the cooperating emphasizing pneumatic 72. This is preferably accomplished by securing an arm 91 to the swinging end of the emphasizing pneumatic, the parts being so arranged that when the pneumatic is in its extended or normal position, the arm 91 supported thereby will form a stop for the hammer 21 before it reaches its full inactive position, and thus'prevent they full throw of the hammer when the pianoaction unit lis subsequently actuated by its operating pneumatic 26. When the pneumatic 72 is collapsed, the arm91 is retract'- 'ed, thus permitting the hammer 21l to assume its full inactive position, andV therefore, when subsequently actuated by its yoperating pneumatic, it will have' its full range of movement for the purpose of producing a tone of maximum'intensity For this purpose thev A'pneumatic 72 is preferably provided for each action unit ofthe piano, although if desired, only the notes of a portion of the piano, preferably the middle range, be arrangedto be emphasized, by either only providinga pneumatic for such notes, or

only connectingthepneumatics of such notes with the mechanism for operating the pneumatics. l

The mechanism for selectively collapsing the pneuma-tics 72 as desired, so as toeniphasize thenotes controlled thereby, .will now be described. with the various piano-action units producingthe saineinotein the different octaves,

or as many thereof asdesired, are so con-V nected as to lbe Lsimultaneously collapsed. In the present exemplification o'f my invention this is accomplished by providing a duct 62, fer each of the notes in an octave, and preferably yarranging half of said ducts in each of the series at opposite sides of the setV of emphasizing pneumatics.

The ports7 9 of the pneumatics cooperato the ing with piano-action units producing same note inthe different octaves, are adapted to be connected to the duct provided for theparticular note. This is preferably accomplished by forming a port 97 in the side of the duct in alinementwitheachof the port-s 79 with which the duct is to be connected. The respective pairsof ports 79 and 97 are then connected, preferably by a iexible conduit 99 received over nipples 98 extending outwardly from the ports 79 and 97 respectively. v Y y `The admission of air to ducts 62 is preferably controlled by the note-sheet 40 coact'ing with thel tracker 36. This is accomplished by forming an opening 104 in the trackerrange for each duct 62. -These openings are preferably provided inaddition to the usual set of openings 35 to which the tubes 34 from the operating pneumatics are connected, but if desired, the number of openings 35 may be reduced so as to provide a space for the openings 104 without in-` `creasing the widthA of the tracker-range.

By the latter construction a piano-player of correspondingly reduced range will of course be formed. Theopenings 104 are connected with their respective ducts 62, preferably by a iexible tube 105, fitting over nipples 106 extending outwardly from ,the respective openings 104 and ports 107 in the respective ducts. vThe tubes are preferably so arranged as to permit the frame 55 to freely slide in guideways 59 relative to the tracker.

By the construction as thus far described, admission of'air through an opening 1.04 is adapted to collapse all the emphasizing pneumatics connected to cooperate with the same note in the different octaves. Additional means are provided, however for selectively neutralizing the effect of the ad- The pneumatics cooperating loo' mission of air to certain of the emphasizing pneumatics thus connected, so that the note will only be emphasized in the octaves desired. ln the present exemplification of my invention this is accomplished by providing i means for obstructing or cutting off commu` nication between the Wind-trunk and the respective tubes 95 connected with the exhaust ports 81 of the pneumatics coperating With the piano-action units of one octave.

The mechanism for selectively cutting off the respective tubes 95, is preferably pneumatically actuated, and is exemplified as comprising a back-plate 109 arranged in rear of the tubes of the parallel series 100, and against which each tube is adapted to be pressed to close the passage therethrough. (See Figs. 3, 5 and 6.) The back-plate 109 is preferably provided at each end with attaching plate 110. The attaching plates are preferably adapted'to be secured to a bracket 11G depending from a side Wall of the series of ducts 62,'by bolts 111. Brackets 112 extend outwardly from each attaching plate 110, and are provided with alined openings in which are supported the respective ends of a shaft 114 extending .transversely of tubes 95 in front thereof. A cam 115 is journaled upon shaft 114 in position to coact with each of the tubes 95, and so arranged that partial rotation of a cam Will press the flexible tube 95 with which it coacts against the back-plate 109, and thus choke or close the opening through the tube.

Each of the cams 115 is adapted to be actuated by a pneumatic 120, preferably of similar construction to the operating pneumatics26, and having an arm 121 articulated ivith a lever -122 secured to the cam, so that longitudinal movement of t-he arm will rock the cam. (See Figs@ 1, 3, 5 and 6.) The pneumatics 120 are shown as mounted upon supports 123 extending outwardly from the secondary valve-box 32, which is connected with the primar valve-box 33 Within the piano-casing. tube 124 for each of the pneumatics 120, is connected with the primary valve-box, and is arranged to lead to an opening 125 in the tracker 36, so that the pneumatics 120 will be controlled by admission of air through their respective tracker openings 12,5. The tube 124 may have connection With the cracker through a niple 106.

The admission of air to openings 125 is controlled by the note-sheet 40 in the usual manner, the openings 125 being'preferably provided in addition to the usual set of openings 35 and the set of openings 104, but if desired, the number of openings 35 may be reduced by providing a pianoplayer of correspondingly reduced range, so as to provide a space for the openings 125 Without increasing the Width of the tracker range.-

The pneumatics120 may also be manually controlled. This is preferably accomplished by leading a branch tube 127 from cach tube 124 to a position beneath the ledge 53 carrying the usual control-levers for the piano. (See Figs. 1, 2 and 9.) Each tube 127 is provided with a normally closed valve 128, which is adapted to be opened, so as to admit air to the tube and the pneumatic 120 connected therewith, by a manually operated key 129 mounted upon the ledge 53.

By the construction as thus exemplified, it Will be seen that while the. admission of air through an opening 104 Will normally collapse all the pneumatics 72 connected to cooperate with the same note in the different oct'aves, by admission of air to desired ones of the tubes 124 prior thereto, the Windtrunk 47 will be obstructed or cut olf from all the emphasizing pneumatics cooperating with piano-action units of the octaves controlled respectively by said tubes. Thus, only desired ones of the emphasizing pneumatics coperating With the same note in different octaves Will be actuated, to allow Vthe piano-action units controlled thereby to have a fullthrou7 when subsequentlyoperated by their respective operating pneumatics 2G.

In a piano-player constructed in accordance with my invention, and adapted to actuate all the notes offa 'piano of full range, comprising seven complete octaves and four additional notes, there Will preferably be seven of the tubes 95,v a tube being provided for each complete octave: with the pneumatics coperating with the four additional notes connected with passage-Way 66 and tube 95 of the adjacent complete octave. If it isdesired to provide means for neutralizing the effect in each octave, of the admission of air through an opening 104, a cutoff 115 and a pneumatic1120 and its-connections, Will be provided for each tube 95.? If in practice however, it is found desirable to only control 'the middle range of the piano, a pneumatic 120 and its connections, and a cut-off valve 115, will only bek provided for the octaves of the middle range.

The intensityof the tone of all the notes of the piano is adapted to be modified as desired, While still maintaining the relative prominence of the melody. This is exemplified as accomplished by selectively operating the pneumatics 7 2, so as to increase the range of movement of the desired piano-action units relative to the remaining units, as previously described, but also moving the frame 55 carrying the emphasizing pneumatics relative to the piano-action units, so that all the notes will be modified as desired.

Thisris exemplified as accomplished by connecting the frame 55 which is mounted to slide in guideways 59, with a manually operated key 134 arrangedupon' ledge 53 of connection between `frame 55 and kei/'134 is shown ascomprlsing an arm 131 secured to each end of ythe, frame,-feachxarm being articulated with. a lever secured to a rockshaf ,ses extending transversely'of the piano-casing. Key 134; is adapted to actuate a lever 135 `secured to said; rockv shaft 133, by meansoi a lever 136 andca link137. The

Vparts are so arranged that 'when key 1341 is are adapteddto. coperate with .the piano-action units, by coactingV` with the rods 28 -of the operating pneumatics A26', the rods 28' being connected withthe wippens 29' of the Arespective units as'previously described.

In this construction, the framev 5,5" sup- Vporting -the emphasizing pneumatics, is

mounted below the set of operating pneu.-l mavtic 26',` and the pneumatics 72" supportedthereby, are preferably so arranged upon walls 68' of parallel series of passageways 66' and ducts 62" carried by said lframe, that the arms 91' supportedfby'the movable members of the emphasizing pneumatics, will extend parallel to theY rods 28', vith each arm proximate tothe rod with which itis adapted kto coperate.

The range of movement of each rod `28' is adapted to be controlled by the coperating arm 91', exemplified `as accomplished by forming a shoulder l138 upon-the rod 28' against which arm 91' is adapted to abut, the parts being so arranged that when an emphasizing pneumatic is in vits. normal eX- tendedv position, the arm 91' thereof will abut against shoulder 138 so as to limit the range of movement of the action unit by raising said rod 28' as indicated by the space 25' between said rod and the arm 27'. (See Fig. 8.) i

Pneumatics 72 are preferably normally held in `extended position by spring 71' between the stationary and 'movable members 74', 7 5', of each pneumatic. y

When pneumatic 72' is collapsed, the

yvacuuml in thewind-trunk overcoming the action of spring 7,1', its arm 91 will beretracted, soy that rod 28' may assume its full inactive position, and thuswhen subsequently actuated byarm'27' ofthe operating pneumatic, lengaging therewith, `it will have its full range of movement' to produce atone of maximum intensity, y

The pneumatics V72' are arranged to be controlled-as described for pneumatics '72, andl for this 'purpose are provided with conduits 99' connecting the pneumatic with their respective ducts 62', tubes 105"'leading from ducts 62"- to 'the tracker, a series 100' frange,v in each ofjwhich y lofv tubes ,connecting the wind-trunk with the key-board. (See Figs. 1, 2 and 3.) The passage-ways 66', and means as' previously described vfor closing ,the tubesof series 100', comfprisingcams 115' mounted'upon shafty 1111' and tozwhich are securedilevers 122' articulated with arms 121'.

-1)neumatics120' 'u arey adapted to actuate thevarms 121' and are shown as mounted upon :supports 123'. suitably secured to the secondary valve-box 32Hv A tube 124' for',

each of the pneumatics 120' "leads to the Ytracker from the primary valve-box 33', and

isalso provided with manually controlled operating means V'comprising a Avalve 128 and key. 129 arranged aspreviouslyV described.` i 'l n The frame 55' which may be f suitably counterbal,anced is adapted to be Inovedrelative to the rods` 28', so as to modify the tone -of all the notes. and for this purpose thev end-piecesf57 of theframe :are 'provided with lugs adapted to slide in guide-ways 59'., suitably arranged upon the walls of the piano-rcasin'g, so that when the frame `is moved therein, vall. the rods 28' will be cor respondingly raised or lowered. This movement `of the frame 1s manually con- `connectionV with a piano-player constructed in accordance with my invention, 1s shownI in detail in Fig. 7, in connection with ya tracker 36, the arrow showing the direction of its movement. The openings 125 for the neutralizing pneumatics 120, yare shown vas arranged at one end of the tracker', and asy being four in number, to control four octaves of the middle rangeof the piano, althoughas previously explained an opening 125 and pneumatic 120 may be provided for each octave of vthe piano, if desired. They openings 104 for the emphasizing pneumatics 7 2, are shown as arranged neXtto the openingsr125, and will be twelve in numbenso that each of the twelvenotes of an" octave may be emphasized. The openings 35for the `operating pneumatics 26 of the plano-player are preferably arranged next to the openings 104, and ina piano-player ofl full range i will be eighty-eight in number,` an operating pneumatic being provided for each note of the standard piano. j The note-sheet 40 is provided ywitlralcolumn for each of the openings in the trackererforations are adapted to be formedtoregister with the coytrolled as previously described, by means of rock-shaft 133', actuated bykey `134' posi-V `operating openings in the tracker. The perforations in the note-sheet arranged to cofoperate with the `set of openings 35 in the in the note-sheet, perforations 143 are formed in the note-sheet so as to register with openings 104 in the tracker, controlling the notes in thev different octaves which it is desired to emphasize.

Thus for example, if it is desired to emphasize the note played by the registering of the perforation shown at 144 with its cooperating opening 35, a perforation Will be formed in the note-sheet, so as to register Y With the opening 104 in the tracker controlling the note which it is desired to emphasize in the different octaves, as shown at 145. The perforation 145 is so arranged as to register with its tracker opening 104 slightly in advance of the registering of the perforation 144 with its opening 35, and is of suflicient length to remain in registering position until the piano-action unit has been actuated by the registering of perforation 144 and its opening 35.

By this arrangement the registering of perforation 145 with. its tracker opening 104, will cause the collapse of all the emphasizing pneumatics 72 arranged to control the same note in different octaves, which are connected with the opening 104, and the piano-action units for this note in the different octaves Will move to full inactive position so as to be capable of subsequently imparting a full blow to their respective strings. The registering of perforation 144 and its opening 35 will nou7 actuate the desired one -of the action units of the group thus having fa full range of movement, to emphasize the Ythe opening-104 by the note-sheet' the eollapsed pneumatics will return to normal position solas to reduce the range of movement -.of-"thelaction units controlled thereby.

v -If it is desired to emphasize the note controlled byperforation 144, and at the same Ytime emphasize a different note controlled by perforation 148, and played simultaneously, a perforation-149, in addition to perforation 145Will lbe formed in the note- Vsheet,\so arranged as to register with the proper tracker opening 104 controlling the lnote inthe different octaves, which it is dejsired toempliasize. f -Thus as many different notes as is desired may be simultaneously emphasized. i

If it is desired to simultaneously play the 'same note in.. different octaves, and empha- -sizezthe note in `nertainof these @Gila-VCS 91115',

perforations 142 are arranged as shown at `151, to simultaneously register with openings 35 by means of which the same note is adapted lto be played in different octaves, and a perforation is so arranged in the notesheet as to register With the tracker opening 104 controlling said note in the various octaves, as shown at 152 extending in advance of the perforations 151. By the construction as thus far described, the note to be played, would be emphasized in all the octaves for which perforations 151 were provided. Y

In order to neutralize the effect of the registering of perforation 152 with its tracker opening 104, in the octaves for which perforations 151 are provided and in which it is not desired to emphasize the note thus controlled, all the emphasizing pneumatics eoperating with action units in such octaves, are cut off from the Wind-trunk 47 by closing the proper tubes 95, slightly in advance. of the registering of perforation 152 with its tracker opening 104.

Only the pneumatics connected with tracker opening 104 controlled by perforation 152, and which are arranged to coperate with notes in the octaves which are not cut off from the Wind-trunk, Will therefore be collapsed, to release the action units with which they coperate, so that the action units will be capable of imparting a full blow to the respective strings when subsequently actuated by the registering of perforations 151 with their openings 35.

The closing of the desired tubes 95, in advance of the registering of tracker opening 104 with perforation 152, may be manually controlled by actuating the keys 129 controlling the pneumatics 1.20 connected With vopening 104. The perforations 160 are of such a length as to remain in registering position With tracker openings 125 as long as the perforation 152 is in registering position With its tracker opening 104.

If it is desired to simultaneously play two or more notes, veach note being played in a plurality of octaves, and emphasize the notes in certain octaves only, a plurality of sets of perforations 142 for the same note in differ,- ent-octaves,` are arranged in the note-sheet as shown at 165, 166, and perforations are so arranged in the note-'sheet as to register previens to the registering of perforations 16,5,

166, withtheiifrespective openings 35, with cachot the tracker openings 104; controlling 'the respective notes to be emphasized, as `sliovvn at VA167, 168.

The Wind-trunk 4,7 is previously cut of'from all the octaves for which perforations 165, 166, areprovided, except `the octaves vin-vvhichit is desired to emphasize the notes, by themechanism controlled by a perforationsuch as shown at 169 and as previously'described.l By this arrangement, as many notes in as many oc- Vtaves as desired, may be simultaneously played, the desired notes in certain octaves only being emphasized. n

It Will therefore be seen that I have provided a construction, whereby, by the employment of a note-sheet properly perforated, the desired notes of, the selection playedr may be automatically emphasized to accentuate the melodyof the selection, and

vthus produce the effect of a manually played f piano. o

i Havingthus fullyv described myinventionpvvhat I claim as new. and desire'to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. Ina device of the character described,

the combination with ay set Yof piano-action lunits, of. automatic means for selectively emphasizing the-respective-notes produced by .theaction of said units, and means for regulating the intensity of sound of all of said notes Whiley maintaining the relative prominence of the selectively emphasized notes.

f2. In a device of the character described,

lthecombination vvith a set of piano-action unitsanda note-sheet,I of operating pneumatics 'coactingvvith said piano-action units,

-andemphasizing pneumatics, said note-sheet provided withA perfo-rations coactingl with said. operating pneumatics and with separate perforations coperating With said emphasizing pneumatics.

3, Ina device of the character described, the combination With a setof piano-action unitsv and a note-sheet,- of operating pneumatics coacting With said piano-action units, and` emphasizing pneumatics, said note-sheet provided with perforations coacting with said operating pneumatics-and with perforations coperating With` said emphasizingV pneumatics, said last-named perforations in said noteV sheet extending in advance of said irst-named perforations and affecting a'plurality onotes.

4. In a device of the character described,

the combination with a set of piano-action f units and a note-sheet, of operating pneumatics coacting with said piano-action units, emphasizing means comprising emphasizing pneumatics,L pneumatic control passages therefor and neutralizing means acting on v said pneumatic control passages, said notesheet provided with Vperforations coacting with said operating pneumatics and with Aperforations coacting with said emphasizing pneumatics.

5. In ay deviceofv the character described,

the combination With aiset of piano-action units and a note-sheet, of operating pneumaticscoacting With said piano-action units, emphasizing means including Vemphasizing pneumatics', and neutralizing means for said 'emphasizing ymeans `including neutralizing pneumatics said note-sheet provided ,with perorations coacting with said operating pneumatics, with perforations coacting with said `emphasizing pneumatics,y and with perforations coacting with said neutralizingy pneumatics. t I f 6. In ay device of the character described, the combination with a set of piano-action unit-sand a note-sheet," of operating pneu- `matics coacting with said piano-action units,

emphasizing means including emphasizing4 pneumatics, and neutralizing means for said emphasizing means including neutralizing pneumatics, said note-sheet provided with perfo-rations 'coacting vvithV said operating pneumatics, with perforatioiis'coactind with said emphasizing pneumatics,'and with perforations coacting With lsaid neutralizing pneumatics, said second-named perforations extending ini advance of said first-named perf forations.

`7.' In a device of the character described, the "combination with a setoi piano-action units and a note-sheet, of operating pneumatics coactingwith said piano-action units,

pneumatics, andneutralizing means for said emphasizing means including neutralizing pneumatics,y saidi 'note-sheet provided With perforations coacting with vsaid operating emphasizing means including emphasizing pneumatics, With perforations `coacting with said emphasizing pneumatics,and with perforations `coacting `vvith said neutralizing pneumatics, said last-named perforations being in lateral line with said second-named vperforations, and said second-named perforations extending in` advance of said firstnamed perforations.V W v .f `8. Ina device o-thecharacter described,

Vthe combination of a set of automatically Wind-truck, emphasizing pneumatics arranged to coperate with the respective acmatics, connections between said wind-trunk and the emphasizing pneumatics respectively cooperating with action units for the notes of given octaves, means for obstructing said last-named connections respectively, pneumatics respectively actuating said obstructing means, and connections between said tracker and said pneumatics.

11. In a device of the characterdescribed, the combination of a set of pneumatically operated piano-action units, a tracker, a wind-trunk, emphasizing pneumatics for varying the range of movement ofthe respective action units, connections between said tracker and said emphasizing pneumatics respectively cooperating with action units for notes of the same note name in different octaves, connections between said wind-trunk and said emphasizing pneumatics respectively cooperating with action units for the notes of given octaves, neutralizing pneumatics for cutting olf said last-named connections respectively, and connections between said respective neutralizing pneumatics and said tracker.

12v. In a device of the character described, the combination of aA set vof piano-action units, operating pneumatics, a tracker having openings therein connected with the respective operating pneumatics, emphasizing pneumatics cooperating withV said action units, said tracker having openings therein connected with the emphasizing pneumatics cooperating respectively with action units, for notes of the same note name in different octaves,'neutralizing pneumatics cooperating respectively with action units for the notes of an octave, said tracker having openings therein connected with said neutralizing pneumatics resepectively, and a note-sheet controlling said openings of said tracker.

13. In a device of the character described, the combination of a set of piano-action units, operating pneumatics, a tracker having openings therein for the respective operating pneumatics, emphasizing pneumatics for said action units respectively, said tracker having openings therein respectively connected with emphasizing pneumatics for action units for notes of the same note name in different octaves, neutralizing pneumatics for action units respectively :for the notes of an octave, said tracker having openings therein respectively connected with said neutralizing pneumatics, a note-sheet having cooperating perforations therein arranged to successively register with openings of said tracker connected respectively with neutralizing, emphasizing and operating pneumatics. 14. In a device of the vcharacter described, the combination with a set of piano-action units and a note-sheet, of operating pneumatics coacting with said piano-action units, emphasizing means including emphasizing pneumatics, and neutralizing means for said emphasizing means including neutralizin pneumatics, said note-sheet provided witii perforations coacting with saidneutralizing pneumatics, with perforations coacting with said emphasizing pneumatics, and with perforationscoacting with said operating pneumatics, said perforations extending in advanceof kone another in the sheet in the order named.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ALFRED R. GILLI-IAM.

IlVitnesses:

R. W. SMITH, D. E. BRADLEY. 

